On Earth Day, B.C. NDP leader Adrian Dix came out publicly against Kinder Morgans plans to bring more than 400 oil tankers per year to the waters around Vancouver, Victoria and the Gulf Islands saying: I dont think that the port of Metro Vancouver should become a major oil export port.

Dogwood Initiative applauded Dixs statement, given our long-standing campaign to halt the expansion of crude oil tanker traffic on B.C.s coast. We destroyed our original B.C. election leaflets, which portrayed the NDP as only having a firm stance against Enbridges northern proposal, and created a new version showing both the Green Party and the NDP as standing up to both major proposals to bring more oil tankers to our coast.

Then, on Wednesday, Juan de Fuca NDP candidate John Horgan caused a stir with his comments to the Surrey News Leader suggesting possible alternative locations for an expanded Kinder Morgan oil port.

To say the least, we were concerned. Was the NDP open to expanded oil tanker traffic so long as the terminal was moved a little south? If so, we certainly wouldnt count that as a strong stand.

Early Thursday morning, however, Adrian Dix settled the matter on CKNWs Bill Good show, stating Were not going to become an oil tanker export port whether its in Vancouver, Delta or anywhere else.

And in a later media scrum, when asked about Kinder Morgansending oil to Washington and then up through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Dix said: I dont see it as being a good idea for us to dramatically increase tanker traffic in this region.

Adrian Dix’s statements – and those of Green Party of B.C. leader Jane Sterk – continue to reflect clear party stances against Kinder Morgan’s plans.

No matter who forms the next government and regardless of the promises candidates and parties do or dont make, the Dogwood community will continue to relentlessly push for strong and immediate action to protect our coast from the threat oil pipelines, tankers and spills.